Functional roof construction method and arrangement

ABSTRACT

A functional roof construction arrangement for a roof frame of a building, includes a plurality of functional roof modules being assembled together. Each of the functional roof modules includes a module housing and a roof functional unit which includes three different roof functional panel units selectively supported by the module housing at different levels thereof to provide different functions for the building. The roof functional panel units are selectively configured for selectively providing multiple functions of solar energy collection, thermal insulation, sound insulation, wireless network system, and the like.

NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to any reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as itappears in the United States Patent and Trademark Office patent files orrecords, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a roof structure, and more particularlyto a functional roof construction method and arrangement, wherein aplurality of functional roof modules are assembled to form a rigid roofstructure for selectively providing multiple functions of solar energycollection, thermal insulation, sound insulation, wireless networksystem, and the like.

Description of Related Arts

Architects have many roof designs in the building industry over the lastfew decades since the roof serves as a building envelop to effectivelyprotect the interior of the building. A conventional roof structurecomprises a plurality of roof beams supported on a supporting frame ofthe building to define a roof surface thereon, and a plurality of rooflayers overlaid on the roof surface to provide heat insulation andwaterproof feature for protecting the building. Accordingly, the rooflayers can be a waterproof roofing membrane and a plurality of roofmaterials, such as roof shingles or tiles, stacked on the roofingmembrane. Accordingly, extra heat insulation material, such asfiberglass insulation or foam insulation, must be added under the roofsurface within the attic of the building to control the interiortemperature of the building effectively. In other words, theconventional roof structure provides poor heat insulation. In addition,the conventional roof structure has several drawbacks.

The conventional roof structure is hard to repair especially when aportion thereof is damaged. For example, when there is a water leakage,the constructers must remove the roof materials and replace thewaterproof roofing membrane. It is time consuming and is a waste ofmaterial since the roof materials cannot be re-used. The repairing costof the damaged roof structure is relatively high to include the laborcost of the constructers. In addition, the conventional roof structurehas a limited service lifespan depending on the material thereof. Inother words, the life expectancy of the roof varies between differentroof materials. For example, the life expectancy of the asphalt roofshingles is about 15 to 20 years. Therefore, the house owner shouldreplace the entire roof structure before the lifespan of the roofstructure is end.

Even though many roof designs are found to improve the roof materialsand/or the efficiency of the roof, the basic frame structure of the roofhas not be changed. In other words, the foundation of the roof structureis still constructed by the waterproof roofing membrane and the roofmaterials. The improved roof materials can only prolong the lifespan ofthe roof structure and can enhance the efficiency of thereof. However,the above existing problems cannot be solved.

A significant improvement of the conventional roof structure is thesolar roofs. Accordingly, the solar roof, which is a rooftop solarsystem, comprises a plurality of solar panels mounted on top of the roofsurface via a panel supporting frame. However, the solar panels arecostly and required licensed roof contractors to install. Because of theweight of the solar panels, the licensed roof contractors must calculatethe stress and the loading requirements of the roof structure before theinstallation of the solar panels. Therefore, the rooftop solar systemmay not be able to install on the old roof structure. In addition, theinstallation of the rooftop solar system requires drilling on the roofstructure, such that the existing roof structure will be damaged.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The invention is advantageous in that it provides a functional roofconstruction method and arrangement, wherein a plurality of functionalroof modules are assembled to form a rigid roof structure forselectively providing multiple functions of solar energy collection,thermal insulation, sound insulation, wireless network system, and thelike.

Another advantage of the invention is to a functional roof constructionmethod and arrangement, wherein different functional panels can beselectively supported in a module housing at different levels forproviding multiple functions.

Another advantage of the invention is to a functional roof constructionmethod and arrangement, wherein the functional panels can be releasablylocked at the module housing to retain the functional panels inposition.

Another advantage of the invention is to a functional roof constructionmethod and arrangement, wherein the functional roof modules can beeasily assembled together to form a rigid roof structure. Therefore,depending the size of the building, the number of functional roofmodules can be selected to form the roof structure so as to enhance thepractical use of the present invention and to reduce the installationcost thereof.

Another advantage of the invention is to a functional roof constructionmethod and arrangement, wherein water, such as rain, can be collectedand re-cycling used. In particular, the water can be filtered andpurified for drinking, garden watering, and the like.

Another advantage of the invention is to a functional roof constructionmethod and arrangement, wherein the functional roof modules are easy torepair by replacing the entire malfunctioned module or by simplyreplacing the damaged functional panel in the functional roof module, soas to minimize the maintenance cost of the functional roof module.

Another advantage of the invention is to a functional roof constructionmethod and arrangement, wherein the functional operating module can beadditionally incorporated with the function roof module to provide anadditional function, such as Internet router, rechargeable battery,communication device, and/or security system, for the building.

Another advantage of the invention is to a functional roof constructionmethod and arrangement, which simplifies the roof structuralconfiguration of the existing roof structure.

Another advantage of the invention is to a functional roof constructionmethod and arrangement, wherein a water piping system and/or electricalwiring system can be installed into the functional roof constructionarrangement so as to simplify the configuration of the water pipingsystem and/or electrical wiring system of the building.

Another advantage of the invention is to a functional roof constructionmethod and arrangement, which does not require to alter the originalstructural design of the roof frame of the building, so as to minimizethe manufacturing cost of the functional roof module incorporating withthe existing roof frame of the building. In particular, the functionalroof modules can also be mounted on the roof frame of the mobile home oreven a recreational vehicle.

Another advantage of the invention is to a functional roof constructionmethod and arrangement, wherein no expensive or complicated structure isrequired to employ in the present invention in order to achieve theabove mentioned objects. Therefore, the present invention successfullyprovides an economic and efficient solution for providing a rigidconfiguration for the roof frame of the building and for providingdifferent functions for the building.

Additional advantages and features of the invention will become apparentfrom the description which follows, and may be realized by means of theinstrumentalities and combinations particular point out in the appendedclaims.

According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects andadvantages are attained by a functional roof construction arrangementfor a roof frame of a building, includes a plurality of functional roofmodules being assembled together. Each of the functional roof modulesincludes a module housing and a roof functional unit which includesthree different roof functional panel units selectively supported by themodule housing at different levels thereof to provide differentfunctions for the building. The roof functional panel units areselectively configured for selectively providing multiple functions ofsolar energy collection, thermal insulation, sound insulation, wirelessnetwork system, and the like.

Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from aconsideration of the ensuing description and drawings.

These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following detailed description,the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a functional roof constructionarrangement according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a functional roof module ofthe functional roof construction arrangement according to the abovepreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded sectional view of the functional roof module ofthe functional roof construction arrangement according to the abovepreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the functional roof module of thefunctional roof construction arrangement at the longitudinal directionaccording to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the functional roof module of thefunctional roof construction arrangement at the transverse directionaccording to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates the functional roof construction arrangementinstalled at the roof of the building according to the above preferredembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates the supporting frames located side-by-side accordingto the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates the cross bar coupled between the supporting framesaccording to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates the installation of the thermal insulation panelsaccording to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates the installation of the water guard drainage panelaccording to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates the installation of the second set of cross baraccording to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates the installation of the solar collecting panelsaccording to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates the installation of the water drainage guttersaccording to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates the installation of the module housings via themodule connector according to the above preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 15 illustrates the installation of the water collecting gutter andthe functional operating module according to the above preferredembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 illustrates a first alternative mode of the supporting frameaccording to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 illustrates a second alternative mode of the supporting frameaccording to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 18A to 18D illustrates the supporting frame coupled at differentroof frames according to the above preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following description is disclosed to enable any person skilled inthe art to make and use the present invention. Preferred embodiments areprovided in the following description only as examples and modificationswill be apparent to those skilled in the art. The general principlesdefined in the following description would be applied to otherembodiments, alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and applicationswithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5 of the drawings, a functional roofconstruction arrangement according to a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention is illustrated, wherein the functional roofconstruction arrangement of the present invention is arranged formounting on a roof frame of a building to replace the existing roofstructure, as shown in FIG. 6. In particular, the roof frame of thebuilding has a predetermined pitch to define a slope that the roof frameis constructed to have an inclined configuration at a sloping direction.

According to the preferred embodiment, the functional roof constructionarrangement comprises a plurality of functional roof modules 100 beingassembled together to form a rigid roof structure for the roof frame ofthe building. Depending the size of the roof frame, various numbers offunctional roof modules 100 are selectively assembled to form the roofstructure having size and shape corresponding to the roof frame of thebuilding. Accordingly, each of the functional roof modules 100 comprisesa module housing 101 and a roof functional unit 102.

The module housing 101 comprises two supporting frames 10. Each of thesupporting frames 10 comprises a supporting wall 11 extended vertically,and a supporting arm 12 perpendicularly extended from the supportingwall 11 to define an upper portion of the module housing 101 above thesupporting arm 12 and a lower portion of the module housing 101 belowthe supporting arm 12 for attaching to the roof frame. Accordingly, thesupporting wall 11 has a base platform 111 formed at a bottom edge forattaching to the roof frame. FIGS. 18A and 18B illustrates thesupporting frame 10 coupled at different roof frames. In FIG. 18A, thesupporting frame 10 is coupled at a roof beam via screws. FIG. 18B, thesupporting frame 10 is coupled at a I-shaped roof reinforcing bar viascrews.

Each of the supporting frames 10 further comprises a supporting ridge 13extended from the supporting wall 11 at a position parallel to and belowthe supporting arm 12 to define a ridge slot 131 between the supportingridge 13 and the supporting arm 12. In particular, a length of thesupporting arm 12 is longer than a length of the supporting ridge 13.The supporting wall 11 has an outer side and an inner side, wherein thesupporting arm 12 and the supporting ridge 13 are spacedly extended fromthe inner side of the supporting wall 11. In addition, the supportingwall 11 of each of the supporting frames 10 has a hollow structure toform a double-wall structure for enhancing the rigidity of thesupporting frame 10 and to define an air chamber therewithin forproviding thermal and/or sound insulation of the module housing 101.Therefore, the outer side of the supporting wall 11 is defined at a sidesurface of one of the double-wall structure while the inner side of thesupporting wall is defined at a side surface of another double-wallstructure.

Each of the supporting frames 10 further has a sliding slot 14longitudinally formed at a top edge of the supporting wall 11, whereinan elongated opening of the sliding slot 14 is configured to face at adirection with respect to an extension direction of the supporting arm12. As shown in FIG. 7, when the supporting frames 10 are spacedlyaligned with each other, the supporting walls 11 of the supportingframes 10 are extended in parallel. The supporting arms 12 of thesupporting frames 10 are spacedly aligned with each other end-to-end andthe supporting ridges 13 of the supporting frames 10 are spacedlyaligned with each other end-to-end. In addition, the sliding slots 14 ofthe supporting frames 10 are spacedly aligned and facing with eachother.

The roof functional unit 102 comprises different functional panel unitssupported by the module housing 101 at different levels. In particular,the roof functional unit 102 comprises a first roof functional panelunit 20 slidably supported by the supporting ridges 13 of the supportingframes 10, a second roof functional panel unit 30 slidably supported bythe supporting arms 12 of the supporting frames 10 at a position belowthe first roof functional panel unit 20, and a third roof functionalpanel unit 40 slidably engaged with the sliding slots 14 of thesupporting frames 10 at a position spacedly above the first rooffunctional panel unit 20. Accordingly, the first through third rooffunctional panel units 20, 30, 40 provide different functions for thebuilding.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the first roof functional panel unit 20comprises a plurality of thermal insulation panels 21 and a plurality ofpanel dividers 22. Two edge portions of each of the thermal insulationpanels 21 are supported by the supporting ridges 13 of the supportingframes 10 respectively. In particular, the two edge portions of each ofthe thermal insulation panels 21 are slid at the ridge slots 131 of thesupporting frames 10 respectively. It is worth mentioning that each ofthe thermal insulation panels 21 is made of thermal insulation materialto form a radiant barrier for reflecting radiant heat when the sun heatsthe functional roof construction arrangement of the present invention.Preferably, each of the thermal insulation panels 21 is also made ofsound insulation material to form a soundproof roof structure.

Each of the panel dividers 22 is located and sealed between every two ofthe thermal insulation panels 21 to retain the thermal insulation panels21 in position. Accordingly, each of the panel dividers 22 is made ofrigid material, such as metal, and has a hollow structure to define anair cavity therein to serve as a thermal and/or sound insulationchamber. In addition, each of the panel dividers 22 has two sidesurfaces wherein two adjacent thermal insulation panels 21 are biasedagainst the side surfaces of the panel dividers 22, such that the paneldivider 22 is sandwiched between two thermal insulation panels 21. It isworth mentioning that a gap between the panel divider 22 and the thermalinsulation panel 21 is sealed by sealing material such as silicone.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, two ends of each of the panel dividers 22 areattached between the supporting frames 10 to enhance the rigidity of themodule housing 101. Accordingly, each of the supporting ridges 13 has aretention rim 132 extended upwardly at the ridge slot 131. Each of thepanel dividers 22 has two bottom slits 221, wherein the retention rims132 of the supporting ridges 13 are engaged with the bottom slits 221 ofthe panel divider 22 to support and retain the panel divider 22 inposition. It is worth mentioning that the panel dividers 22 providemultiple functions of reinforcing the structure of the module housing101, retaining the thermal insulation panels 21 in position, andsupporting the second roof functional panel unit 30 above the thermalinsulation panels 21. It is appreciated that two ends of each of thepanel dividers 22 can be attached between the supporting frames 10 byattaching the ends of the panel divider 22 at the supporting ridges 13of the supporting frames 10 via screws respectively.

According to the preferred embodiment, the first roof functional panelunit 20 comprises a sound insulation layer 23 mounted in the modulehousing 101 at the lower portion thereof at a position below the thermalinsulation panels 21.

The second roof functional panel unit 30 comprises at least a waterproofpanel supported by the supporting arms 12 of the supporting frames 10respectively. In particular, the waterproof panel can be a water guarddrainage panel 31, wherein two edge portions of the water guard drainagepanel 31 supported by the supporting arms 12 of the supporting frames 10respectively. The water guard drainage panel 31 is made of waterproofmaterial to prevent water, such as rain, entering under the water guarddrainage panel 31. As supporting the water guard drainage panel 31 atthe supporting arms 12 of the supporting frames 10, the water guarddrainage panel 31 is supported at the upper portion of the modulehousing 101, such that the water is blocked by the water guard drainagepanel 31 to prevent the water entering into the lower portion of themodule housing 101. In other words, no water will be entered into thefirst roof functional panel unit 20. It is worth mentioning that sincethe length of the supporting arm 12 is larger than the length of thesupporting ridge 13, when the second roof functional panel unit 30 isslidably supported by the supporting arms 12 of the supporting frames10, the two side edge portions of the second roof functional panel unit20 are covered by the supporting arms 12 respectively to ensure no waterto be entered into the lower portion of the module housing 101.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the water guard drainage panel 31 has acorrugated cross section and defines a plurality of water drainagechannels 311 extended longitudinally along the sloping direction of theroof structure so as to guide the water to flow downwardly. In otherwords, when the module housing 101 is mounted on the roof frame of thebuilding at the slope thereof, an up-slope side of the module housing101 and a down-slope side thereof are correspondingly defined withrespect to the sloping direction of the roof frame. Therefore, the wateris collected and is guided to flow along the water drainage channels 311from the up-slope side of the module housing 101 to the down-slope sidethereof at the sloping direction of the roof structure.

As configuring the water guard drainage panel 31 with said corrugatedcross section, the water drainage channels 311 are defined on a top sideof the water guard drainage panel 31 and a plurality of engagingchannels 312 are formed on a bottom side of the water guard drainagepanel 31. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, each of the supporting arms 12 has aL-shaped coupling free end 121 coupled at the side portion of the waterguard drainage panel 31. In particular, the coupling free ends 121 ofthe supporting arms 12 are selectively engaged with the engagingchannels 312 at the side portions of the water guard drainage panel 31respectively. Therefore, the two side portions of the water guarddrainage panel 31 are locked at the supporting arms 12 of the supportingarm 10 to retain the water guard drainage panel 31 in position so as toform a water barrier for preventing the water entering into the lowerportion of the module housing 101.

It is worth mentioning that the water guard drainage panel 31 is alsocoupled to the panel dividers 22 not only for reinforcing the strengthof the water guard drainage panel 31 to be secured within the modulehousing 101 but also for preventing any vibration within the modulehousing 101 when wind force is applied thereto.

According to the preferred embodiment, the second roof functional panelunit 30 further comprises two water drainage gutters 32 coupled at thetop edges of the supporting frames 10 respectively to align with thesliding slots 14 thereof respectively for guiding the water to flow fromthe sliding slots 14 to the water guard drainage panel 31. As shown inFIG. 13, each of the water drainage gutters 32 has a L-shaped crosssection mounted at the supporting wall 11 defining an upper waterentrance communicating with the sliding slot 14 and a bottom water exitfor draining the water from the sliding slot 14 to the water guarddrainage panel 31. Preferably, the water drainage gutters 32 are coupledat the top edges of the supporting frames 10 respectively at thedown-slope side only because the water will only flow along the slidingslots 14 from the up-slope side of the module housing 101 to thedown-slope side thereof.

The second roof functional panel unit 30 further comprises a watercollecting gutter 33 coupled to the module housing 101 for collectingthe water from the water guard drainage panel 31 so as to prevent thewater flowing to the lower portion of the module housing 101.Accordingly, the water collecting gutter 33 is coupled at the down-slopeside of the module housing 101. Preferably, the water collecting gutter33 has a U-shaped cross section to have an upper gutter cover 331coupled at the top edges of the supporting frames 11 of the supportingframes 10 and a bottom gutter tray 332 aligned with the water guarddrainage panel 31 to collect the water therefrom. It is worth mentioningthat the bottom gutter tray 332 of the water collecting gutter 33 islocated above the lower portion of the module housing 101 to prevent thewater leaking thereinto. Therefore, the functional roof constructionarrangement of the present invention has a built-in gutter, such that norain gutter is required for mounting at the roof frame of the building.It is appreciated that the water collecting gutter 33 can be formed as awater collecting pipe line connected to the down-slope side of themodule housing 101 to collect the water from the water guard drainagepanel 31.

As the water is collected, the collected water can be recycling used.Accordingly, the second roof functional panel unit 30 further comprisesa water reservoir 34 communicatively connected to the water collectinggutter 33 to store the water from the water guard drainage panel 31. Awater purification/filtration system can be incorporated with the waterreservoir 34 to purify/filter the water, such that the user is able todrink the water or use the water to water the garden, to flush thetoilet and the like.

According to the preferred embodiment, the third roof functional panelunit 40 comprises a plurality of solar collecting panels 41 slidablycoupled with the sliding slots 14 of the supporting frames 10 to supportat the top edges of the supporting walls 11 in an edge-to-edge manner.The solar collecting panels 41 are electrically connected with eachother for collecting solar energy. The third roof functional panel unit40 further comprises a solar energy convertor 42 electrically linked tothe solar collecting panels 41 for converting the solar energy intoelectrical energy. Accordingly, the solar energy convertor 42 can bedirectly connected to an electrical meter of the building or to arechargeable battery 43 for storing the electrical energy. It is worthmentioning that the third roof functional panel unit 40 is supportedspacedly apart the second roof functional panel unit 30 to form an aircirculation chamber therebetween for ensuring the air circulation withinthe upper portion of the module housing 101.

It is worth mentioning that the water drainage gutters 32 are coupled atthe top edges of the supporting frames 10 for guiding the water to flowfrom the sliding slots 14 to the water guard drainage panel 31. Inaddition, the water drainage gutters 32 also serve as two blockers toretain the solar collecting panels 41 for preventing the solarcollecting panels 41 being slid downwardly when the module housing 101is inclinedly supported on the roof.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 14, the functional roof construction arrangementfurther comprises a module connector 50 for connecting two of thefunctional roof modules 100 with each other side-by-side. Accordingly,each of the supporting frames 10 further comprises a locking ridge 15extended from the supporting wall 11. In particular, the locking ridge15, having L-shaped locking rim, is extended from the outer side of thesupporting wall 11 at a direction opposite to the supporting arm 12.Preferably, the locking ridge 15 is extended to align with thesupporting arm 12.

The module connector 50 has two locking edges 51 and an indented waterguiding channel 52 extended between the locking edges 51, wherein whentwo of the module housings 101 are located side-by-side, the lockingedges 51 of the module connector 50 are engaged and water-sealed withthe locking ridges 15 of the two module housings 101 respectively so asto lock up the functional roof modules 100 with each other. Preferably,the locking edges 51 of the module connector 50 are interlocked with thelocking ridges 15 of the two module housings 101 respectively. It isworth mentioning that the water collecting gutter 33 can be configuredthat the length of the water collecting gutter 33 is long enough tocouple with two or more module housings 101, such that the watercollecting gutter 33 can collect the water from different water guarddrainage panels 31 at different module housings 101 to the waterreservoir 34 at the same time. In addition, the water collecting gutter33 can also collect the water from the water guiding channel 52 of themodule connector 50 as well.

The functional roof construction arrangement further comprises afunctional operating module 60 coupled to at least one of the functionalroof modules 100, wherein functional operating module 60 is arranged toprovide an additional function for the building. Accordingly, thefunctional operating module 60 has a waterproof housing 61 coupled atthe lower portion of the module housing 101 and an operation unit 62received in the waterproof housing 61 to provide the additional functionfor the building.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 15, the waterproof housing 61 is mounted underthe bottom gutter tray 332 of the water collecting gutter 33, such thatno water will flow to the waterproof housing 61. The waterproof housing61 provides a double-protection to ensure the protection of theoperation unit 62.

The operation unit 62 can be an electronic device received in thewaterproof housing 61. For example, the operation unit 62 can be asecurity system, wherein alarm detection equipments, such as securitylights and/or surveillance cameras, can be mounted under the waterproofhousing 61 while the security wiring system is hidden within thewaterproof housing 61. Different sensors, such as light sensors ormotion sensors, can also installed under the waterproof housing 61. Itis worth mentioning that the operation unit 62 can be configured as anInternet router and/or communication device to be protected by thewaterproof housing 61. It is worth mentioning that the rechargeablebattery 43 of the third roof functional panel unit 40 can also supportedin the waterproof housing 61.

Another application of the operation unit 62 is to configured as asystem controller of a water heating system for heating up water for usein the building, a system controller of an energy conversion system forconverting energy from natural gas or water into useable energy, such aselectrical energy for the building. For example, the collected water canbe electrolyzed into hydrogen and oxygen as the fuel. The operation unit62 can also be an air filtration/purification system for filteringand/or purifying air into the building. The operation unit 62 can alsobe a climate monitoring system capable of integrating with any externalsatellite network, providing ground-base data, and forecasting changesin weather and climate.

It is worth mentioning that the functional roof construction arrangementof the present invention provides enough space, such as the lowerportion of each of the module housings 101, that the water pipingsystem, the air conditioning piping system, and/or the electrical wiringsystem of the building can be hidden in the functional roof constructionarrangement so as to organize the water/air/electrical wiringconfiguration and to save the installation space of the building.

According to FIGS. 7 to 15, the configuration of the functional roofmodule 100 is shown as follows. A width of the functional roof module100 must be initially determined. Accordingly, depending the size ofeach of the first, second, and third functional panel units 20, 30, 40,the width of the module housing 101 can be determined. Preferably, thewidths of the first, second, and third functional panel units 20, 30, 40should be the same. Accordingly, the two supporting frames 10 arepositioned side-by-side to configure as the width of the module housing101, as shown in FIG. 7. The module housing 101 further comprises aplurality of reinforcing cross bars 16 spacedly coupled between thesupporting frames 10 to retain the width of the module housing 101 andto strengthen the module housing 101, as shown in FIG. 8. Each of thereinforcing cross bars 16 has two ends coupled at the supporting walls11 of the supporting frames 10 respectively, such as by welding orscrews. In particular, the reinforcing cross bars 16 are coupled betweenthe supporting walls 11 at the lower portion of the module housing 101.Preferably, a second set of the reinforcing cross bars 16 can alsocoupled between the supporting walls 11 at the upper portion of themodule housing 101 at a position between the second roof functionalpanel unit 30 and the third roof functional panel unit 40, as shown inFIG. 11. Preferably, the reinforcing cross bars 16 are H-shaped crossbars or C-shaped cross bars.

Once the distance between the supporting frames 10 are retained by thereinforcing cross bars 16, i.e. the width of the module housing 101, thesupporting walls 11 of the supporting frames 10 are extended inparallel. The supporting arms 12 of the supporting frames 10 arespacedly aligned with each other end-to-end and the supporting ridges 13of the supporting frames 10 are spacedly aligned with each otherend-to-end. In addition, the sliding slots 14 of the supporting frames10 are spacedly aligned and facing with each other, as shown in FIG. 7.

Then, the thermal insulation panels 21 and the panel dividers 22 of thefirst roof functional panel unit 20 can be slid into the module housing101 in an alternating manner to support by the supporting ridges 13 ofthe supporting frames 10, as shown in FIG. 9. The water guard drainagepanel 31 of the second roof functional panel unit 30 can be slid intothe module housing 101 to support by and lock with the supporting arms12 of the supporting frames 10, as shown in FIG. 10. The water drainagegutters 32 can be coupled at the top edges of the supporting frames 10respectively to align with the sliding slots 14 thereof respectively.Once the first and second roof functional panel units 20, 30 areinstalled into the module housing 101, the solar collecting panels 41 ofthe third roof functional panel unit 40 can be slidably coupled with thesliding slots 14 of the supporting frames 10 to support at the top edgesof the supporting walls 11, as shown in FIG. 12. The water drainagegutters 32 can be coupled at the top edges of the supporting frames 10respectively to align with the sliding slots 14 thereof respectively, asshown in FIG. 13. It is worth mentioning that the solar collectingpanels 41 will be blocked by the water drainage gutters 32 forpreventing the solar collecting panels 41 being slid downwardly when themodule housing 101 is inclinedly supported on the roof. Therefore, theassembly of the functional roof module 100 will be completed.

In order to install the functional roof construction arrangement to theroof frame of the building, the roof area of the roof frame must bemeasured to determine the numbers of functional roof modules 100 to beused. Then, the functional roof modules 100 aligned in a desired arraycorresponding to the shape of the roof frame, and the functional roofmodules 100 are coupled with each other via the module connectors 50, asshown in FIG. 14. The water collecting gutter 33 can be coupled to theside-slope sides of the functional roof modules 100 and the functionaloperating module 60 is coupled the functional roof modules 100 under thebottom gutter tray 332 of the water collecting gutter 33, as shown inFIG. 15. Then, the assembly of the functional roof constructionarrangement is completed and is ready to mount on the roof frame, asshown in FIGS. 6 and 15. Therefore, the installation of the functionalroof construction arrangement of the present invention is simple andeasy, and the installation cost thereof will be substantially reduced.

According to the preferred embodiment, the third roof functional panelunit 40 comprises an astronomical roof camera 41′ slidably coupled withthe sliding slots 14 of the supporting frames 10 to support at the topedges of the supporting walls 11 to replace one of more of the solarcollecting panels 41 in the module housing 101. Likewise, the third rooffunctional panel unit 40 comprises an antenna panel 41″ slidably coupledwith the sliding slots 14 of the supporting frames 10 to support at thetop edges of the supporting walls 11, wherein the antenna panel 41″ isarranged for receiving signals. The antenna panel 41″ can be a TVantenna for receiving radio wave or a satellite antenna for receivingsatellite signal. In other words, each of the functional roof modules100 can be customized to build-in with a particular function accordingto the need of the user.

It is worth mentioning that when one of the thermal insulation panels21, the water guard drainage panel 31, and the solar collecting panels41 is damaged or malfunctioned, the damage panel can be simply replacedby a new one. Alternatively, only the damaged functional roof module 100can be replaced by a new one. Therefore, the maintenance cost and therepairing cost of the functional roof construction arrangement of thepresent invention will be substantially lowered. The size of thefunctional roof construction arrangement of the present invention isexpansible or re-configurable by newly adding the functional roofmodules 100 to the existing functional roof modules 100 or removing oneof functional roof modules 100 from the existing one so as to re-adjustthe size of the functional roof construction arrangement.

FIG. 16 illustrates an alternative mode of the supporting frame 10Aaccording to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention,wherein the height of the lower portion of the module housing 101 isreduced to provide a low profile functional roof module 100.Accordingly, the supporting frames 10A has the same structuralconfiguration to have the supporting wall 11A, the supporting arm 12,the supporting ridge 13, and the sliding slot 14. The modification ofthe supporting frame 10A is that the height of the supporting wall 11Ais shorten to reduce the distance between the base platform 111 and thesupporting ridge 13. Therefore, there will be no reinforcing cross bars16 are coupled between the supporting walls 11A at the lower portion ofthe module housing 101, wherein only the second set of the reinforcingcross bars 16 can also coupled between the supporting walls 11 at theupper portion of the module housing 101.

FIG. 17 illustrates an alternative mode of the supporting frame 10Baccording to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention,wherein the supporting frame 10B has the similar structuralconfiguration of the preferred embodiment. Accordingly, the supportingframe 10B comprises a supporting wall 11B extended vertically, twosupporting arms 12B perpendicularly and opposedly extended from thesupporting wall 11B, two supporting ridges 13B opposedly extended fromthe supporting wall 11B at a position parallel to and below thesupporting arms 12B, and two sliding slots 14B longitudinally andopposedly formed at the top edge of the supporting wall 11B. Therefore,the supporting frame 10B can support two first roof functional panelunits 20 by the supporting ridges 13B respectively, two second rooffunctional panel units 30 by the supporting arms 12B respectively, andtwo third roof functional panel units 40 by the sliding slots 14Brespectively. In other words, no module connector is omitted by usingthe supporting frame 10B. In FIG. 18C, the supporting frame 10B iscoupled at a roof beam via screws. FIG. 18D, the supporting frame 10B iscoupled at a I-shaped roof reinforcing bar via a bar adapter and screws.

One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of thepresent invention as shown in the drawings and described above isexemplary only and not intended to be limiting.

It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have beenfully and effectively accomplished. The embodiments have been shown anddescribed for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structuralprinciples of the present invention and is subject to change withoutdeparture from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes allmodifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A functional roof construction arrangement for aroof frame of a building, comprising a plurality of functional roofmodules being assembled together to form a rigid roof structure, whereineach of said functional roof modules comprises: a module housing whichcomprises two supporting frames, each comprising a supporting wallextended vertically, a supporting arm perpendicularly extended from saidsupporting wall to define an upper portion of said module housing abovesaid supporting wall and a lower portion of said module housing belowsaid supporting arm for attaching to the roof frame, a supporting ridgeextended from said supporting wall at a position parallel to and belowsaid supporting arm, and a sliding slot longitudinal formed at a topedge of said supporting wall, such that when said supporting frames arespacedly aligned with each other, said supporting arms, said supportingridges, and said sliding slots are spacedly aligned with each other; anda roof functional unit which comprises a first roof functional panelunit slidably supported by said supporting ridges of said supportingframes, a second roof functional panel unit slidably supported by saidsupporting arms of said supporting frames at a position below said firstroof functional panel unit, and a third roof functional panel unitslidably engaged with said sliding slots of said supporting frames at aposition spacedly above said first roof functional panel unit, whereinsaid first through third roof functional panel units provide differentfunctions, wherein said first roof functional panel unit comprises aplurality of thermal insulation panels and a plurality of paneldividers, wherein two edge portions of each of said thermal insulationpanels are supported by said supporting ridges of said supporting framesrespectively while each of said panel dividers is located and sealedbetween every two of said thermal insulation panels to retain saidthermal insulation panels in position.
 2. The functional roofconstruction arrangement, as recited in claim 1, wherein two ends ofeach of said panel dividers are coupled said supporting ridges of saidsupporting frames respectively to retain a distance between saidsupporting frames and to enhance a rigidity of said functional roofmodule.
 3. The functional roof construction arrangement, as recited inclaim 2, wherein each of said panel dividers has two bottom slits,wherein each of said supporting ridges has a retention rim extendedupwardly to engage with said bottom slit to support and retain saidpanel dividers in position.
 4. A functional roof constructionarrangement for a roof frame of a building, comprising a plurality offunctional roof modules being assembled together to form a rigid roofstructure, wherein each of said functional roof modules comprises: amodule housing which comprises two supporting frames, each comprising asupporting wall extended vertically, a supporting arm perpendicularlyextended from said supporting wall to define an upper portion of saidmodule housing above said supporting wall and a lower portion of saidmodule housing below said supporting arm for attaching to the roofframe, a supporting ridge extended from said supporting wall at aposition parallel to and below said supporting arm, and a sliding slotlongitudinal formed at a top edge of said supporting wall, such thatwhen said supporting frames are spacedly aligned with each other, saidsupporting arms, said supporting ridges, and said sliding slots arespacedly aligned with each other; and a roof functional unit whichcomprises a first roof functional panel unit slidably supported by saidsupporting ridges of said supporting frames, a second roof functionalpanel unit slidably supported by said supporting arms of said supportingframes at a position below said first roof functional panel unit, and athird roof functional panel unit slidably engaged with said slidingslots of said supporting frames at a position spacedly above said firstroof functional panel unit, wherein said first through third rooffunctional panel units provide different functions, wherein said secondroof functional panel unit comprises at least a water guard drainagepanel having two edge portions supported by said supporting arms of saidsupporting frames respectively, wherein said water guard drainage panelhas a plurality of drainage channels for water guiding, so as to preventwater entering under said water guard drainage panel.
 5. The functionalroof construction arrangement, as recited in claim 4, wherein said waterguard drainage panel has a corrugated cross section and defines aplurality of water drainage channels extended longitudinally along asloping direction of the roof structure so as to guide the water to flowdownwardly.
 6. The functional roof construction arrangement, as recitedin claim 5, wherein each of said supporting arms has a L-shaped couplingfree end coupled at said side portion of said water guard drainagepanel, such that said water guard drainage panel with said corrugatedcross section defines said water drainage channels on a top side of saidwater guard drainage panel and a plurality of engaging channels on abottom side of said water guard drainage panel to selectively engagewith said coupling free ends of said supporting arms.
 7. The functionalroof construction arrangement, as recited in claim 5, wherein saidsecond roof functional panel unit further comprises two water drainagegutters coupled at said top edges of said supporting frames respectivelyto align with said sliding slots thereof respectively for guiding thewater to flow from said sliding slots to said water guard drainagepanel.
 8. The functional roof construction arrangement, as recited inclaim 6, wherein said second roof functional panel unit furthercomprises two water drainage gutters coupled at said top edges of saidsupporting frames respectively to align with said sliding slots thereofrespectively for guiding the water to flow from said sliding slots tosaid water guard drainage panel.
 9. The functional roof constructionarrangement, as recited in claim 4, wherein said second roof functionalpanel unit further comprises a water collecting gutter coupled to saidmodule housing for collecting the water from said water guard drainagepanel so as to prevent the water flowing to said lower portion of saidmodule housing.
 10. The functional roof construction arrangement, asrecited in claim 8, wherein said second roof functional panel unitfurther comprises a water collecting gutter coupled to said modulehousing for collecting the water from said water guard drainage panel soas to prevent the water flowing to said lower portion of said modulehousing.